The La Canada Stakes – traditionally the second of the three-race La Canada Series for older fillies and mares who prefer a route of ground – has been set for Saturday at Santa Anita Park the names of six distaffers were entered to race the 1 1/16 miles over the main track, including Midnight Memories and Desert Dawn, who will square off again after finishing first and second last month in the Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at Los Alamitos.
After spending most of 2023 sidelined, the Bob Baffert-trained Midnight Memories returned to capture the Bayakoa in an impressive off-the-pace performance, collaring Desert Dawn in deep stretch before pulling away to the one-length win as the even-money favorite. The Mastery mare seeks her fourth career graded stakes win under jockey Juan Hernandez.
Arizona-bred Desert Dawn hasn’t won in 20 months, but the 5-year-old daughter of Cupid has kept some tough company in facing (and being competitive against) the likes of Idiomatic, Adare Manor, Echo Zulu and Secret Oath. Phil D’Amato trains the H & E Ranch homebred and Flavien Prat will be aboard.
The La Canada, which was named for a small city northeast of Arcadia, was first contested in 1975 as the centerpiece of the “La Canada Series” which included the La Brea Stakes (GI) for 3-year-old fillies turning four in late December and the now defunct El Encino Stakes. The race itself boats some impressive past winners, including North American and/or Canadian Hall of Famers and champions Chris Evert, Glorious Song, Lady’s Secret and Jewel Princess, as well as notable names Mitterand, Exchange, Manistique, Got Koko, Balance, Life Is Sweet, Always A Princess, Vale Dori, Mopotism and a talented Manitoba-bred named Escape Clause.
The La Canada is the day’s 8th race with a post time of 4:00 p.m. PT and is expected to be conducted under mostly cloudy skies and cool temperatures in the lower 60s with a chance for showers late in the day.
Baffert has saddled a stakes-high four winners for the race this claim leading trainer, while fellow Hall of Famer Gary Stevens was aboard five over his illustrious career.
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